First Minister's visit to Malawi and Zambia information: FOI release

Information requested

Information in relation to the First Minister's recent visit to Malawi and Zambia, specifically:

• A clarification on how this visit adheres to the Scottish Ministerial Code
• A breakdown of costs of this visit
• Rationale for undertaking this visit

Response

In response to your first question, outwith FOISA, I note your concern that the First Minister's visit did not adhere to the Ministerial Code. It may be helpful to clarify that the Code does not prohibit Ministers from engaging internationally. The principles of the Code require Ministers to act responsibly and within the scope of devolved competence. As you note, international relations are reserved to Westminster. However, with the agreement of the UK Government, the Scottish Government established its international development footprint from 2005. This work is funded from within the Scottish Government’s own budget and, like any other part of that budget, is subject to Scottish Parliament approval and scrutiny.

On that basis, we are clear that the First Minister’s visit was not in conflict with the Ministerial Code.

While our aim is to provide information whenever possible, in this instance the Scottish Government does not have some of the information you have requested. The reasons why we do not have the information are explained below.

The Scottish Government does not have the information you have asked for because a final full cost breakdown was not yet available at the date of your request as the visit was still ongoing at the time. However, some of the information you have requested will be made available on the gov.scot website in due course. Information about Ministerial engagements and overseas travel is proactively published by the Scottish Government. This is a formal notice under section 17(1) of FOISA that the Scottish Government does not have the information you have requested. This exemption is not subject to the 'public interest test', so we are not required to consider if the public interest in disclosing the information outweighs the public interest in applying the exemption.

Regarding your third question, outwith FOISA, the answer to your question is that visits to our partner countries are a vital way to strengthen our relationships and reaffirm Scotland’s commitment to being a good global citizen. Travel is an essential part of Government business and allows Ministers and officials to promote Scotland and build relationships.

About FOI

The Scottish Government is committed to publishing all information released in response to Freedom of Information requests. View all FOI responses at https://www.gov.scot/foi-responses.